The Thais’ final group match on Sunday is against India, who crushed Maldives 15-0 last week. The match will decide which side follows the Koreans into the quarter- finals.
Despite claiming the lopsided win, only their second in the women’s football competition after a 5-0 victory over Jordan in the Doha Games eight years ago, national coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian was not satisfied with her side’s performance.
“I’m glad we won the game but not happy with the team’s display. We made too many mistakes in several areas, especially in our attacking play. The weather today played a role in the match. The last time we trained it was very hot but it was a bit cool when we played the game.
“We didn’t do well offensively. All the 10 goals we scored today came from the flanks but we still have to improve on that. Facing India in the final group match, we have no choice but to win,” said former national player Nuengrutai, who earlier this year steered her team to a historic maiden berth in the Women’s World Cup Finals.
Thailand hit 36 shots, 22 on target, against zero shots for the Maldives, also enjoying 76 per cent of possession and totting up 11 corners against just one for the Maldives.
The Thai women earned a Bt500,000 bonus for the Maldives win, Bt300,000 of which came from the funds of team manager Nuanphan Lamsam and the rest from the Football Association of Thailand.